West Coast Eagles fans show support for young star Harley Reid with middle finger salute in western derby

Samantha Rogers
The West Australian
Eagles fans giving the finger.
Eagles fans giving the finger. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

West Coast fans have shown their unwavering support for young star Harley Reid, with many taking part in a middle-finger salute at the nine-minute mark of the western derby.

Reid was fined $1000 by the AFL for “misconduct” in the club’s round two clash with Brisbane, when he directed the gesture at Lions supporters at the Gabba last weekend.

A fan-led initiative protesting the sanction gained a groundswell of support during the week ahead of an Eagles home derby against cross-town rivals Fremantle.

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As the Optus Stadium scoreboard ticked over the nine-minute mark, many groups of fans stood with their middle fingers raised for the club’s No.9 and a subdued cheer rang out around the ground.

The Optus Stadium fans.
The Optus Stadium fans. Credit: Kelsey Reid/The West Australian

Reid added to his derby highlight reel with a brilliant contested mark in the forward 50, using Dockers defender Heath Chapman as a stepladder to take flight.

He converted the set shot as the crowd erupted, before doing a gun salute handshake with Tim Kelly. Jamie Cripps and Liam Ryan were among the teammates to swarm Reid as the team celebrated the goal.

It comes after Puma announced Reid had signed a six-year sponsorship deal with a cheeky nod to the incident.

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They released an image with the words “we’ve got your back for six more years” with five fingers raised on one hand and the middle finger on the other.

Harley Reid chatting with Luke Shuey before the derby.
Harley Reid chatting with Luke Shuey before the derby. Credit: Paul Kane/Getty Images

It’s not the first time Puma has made a bold statement around the former No.1 pick. Last year, they bought out the entire back page of The Sunday Times to wish him luck ahead of his AFL debut.

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